UPDATE: Homeowner returns after house explosion

WELCH, W.Va. (WVVA) UPDATE -- There are new details following an explosion that rocked a McDowell County neighborhood on Thursday.

It all happened at a home in Welch around 5:30 p.m. That is when dispatchers said an explosion was reported at a home on Summers Street. The fire resulted in a neighboring home also catching fire.

During an interview with the home's owner Briane Turley on Friday, WVVA News learned that he and his son were on their way home from a vacation in Ireland at the time and got the call just as they arrived in Charleston. He said his wife, a school teacher in Kimball, was fortunately not home at the time of the blaze, taking part in a meeting. While one cat died in the blaze, Turley said he was able to recover his wedding ring.

As of Friday evening, the cause of the blast remains unknown.

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First responders are on the scene of a house fire with a reported explosion in McDowell County.

According to 911, the call came in around 5:34 p.m. Thursday to a residence on Summers Street in Welch. Emergency crews from multiple agencies have responded.

The details are limited. Witnesses tell WVVA that no one was home at the time and the explosion caused another home to catch fire.

"It was the loudest explosion I've ever heard in my life," said one resident to WVVA.

We have a crew headed to the scene. We'll have more information as it becomes available.

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